Who has added a Subwoofer there system?
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: OC
AMG E55, Stage 1, Strait Pipe from Primary Cats
Who has added a Subwoofer there system?
Hey Guyz, couple questions
When installing a sub on a stock 7.1 channel Harman Kardon system do I need to use a high / low converter or is there a sub output option?
Is there a separate amplifier for the sub or does it utilize all one amplifier?
Is there a way to bypass the stock stereo feed for the sub if there is not a sub output without using a high/low converter?
When installing a sub on a stock 7.1 channel Harman Kardon system do I need to use a high / low converter or is there a sub output option?
Is there a separate amplifier for the sub or does it utilize all one amplifier?
Is there a way to bypass the stock stereo feed for the sub if there is not a sub output without using a high/low converter?
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2005 E55
Heres how I did mine,I tapped into the sub in the rear and my JL amp takes a high level input,that worked great but I took it out because I would get the stupid error on the dash about my battery being low
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Depends on the season
I run a line level tapped into the wires behind the compartment on the driver side of the trunk. I don't know why you wouldn't want to run one of these. I run a Kixker KX 1200 amp off it with no electrical problems at all. Light do not dim either. Ran the power wire right to the battery with a circuit breaker in between. I'm getting ready to redo my box with 2 12" JL 12w6 ported into the access panel on the rear seat.
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From: Houston, TX
2006 E55, 2012 Jeep SRT, 2008 G37s 6MT (The Mrs.), 2005 Explorer
I tapped into those to two wires with a line level (hi/lo) converter bc my amp did not have the option for high level inputs. I took out the factory sub and built a box to fire th sub up through the stock hole. No errors and sounds so much better. I don't like to rattle the shi* out of everything I just despise distortion. Which I got a lot from the stock sub.
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 552
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From: Chicago suburbs
2004 E55 AMG
I used a line-level converter from the rear subwoofer wires to my amp. When I first installed it I woul dget the warning message constantly. I found that the problem was that I had attached the power AND ground wires directly to the battery. Once I moved the ground to a chassis ground I haven't had a lick of trouble with the warning message. My only issue is that even though the sub is pounding away in the trunk with plenty of power, a ton of that energy is being wasted because the car is so well insulated. I think the only good solution is to do what 99DirtybirdWS6 did and replace the stock sub with a sub/custom box.
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 361
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From: Northern California
05 e55
I've been itching to do the same... My previous car was a BMW 7 series with Logic 7, it was the best factory system I had ever heard... It was a perfect balance when all worked well and having subs under seats really helped as it would really shake my jeans/pants, it was a very unique feeling and experience...
The Logic 7 in the E is decent... For the most part, I'm pleased with the balance of the lows/mids/highs... The factory subwoofer, in all honesty, does an excellent job of balancing the sound and it hits pretty damn low for not having a dedicated enclosure... There have been times where my steering wheel will vibrate from low low bass notes, impressive...
What I hate though is how after you turn the volume past a certain point the amplifier digitally attenuates the subwoofer and high frequencies, leaving you with a lot of muffled mid range sound... My preliminary plans are to purchase a 5 channel amplifier such as the JL Audio HD 900/5... I'd most likely feed the factory front and rear door speakers with the JL amp, leaving the front/rear center and subwoofer being pushed by the L7 amp... I'd add a 8" or 10" w7/w6 in a ported enclosure with the port firing right into the cabin...
I think this would be an economical solution to get better sound out of the system... I have an Audiocontrol EQS in another one of my vehicles and absolutely love it, not sure I would need it in this car though...
The Logic 7 in the E is decent... For the most part, I'm pleased with the balance of the lows/mids/highs... The factory subwoofer, in all honesty, does an excellent job of balancing the sound and it hits pretty damn low for not having a dedicated enclosure... There have been times where my steering wheel will vibrate from low low bass notes, impressive...
What I hate though is how after you turn the volume past a certain point the amplifier digitally attenuates the subwoofer and high frequencies, leaving you with a lot of muffled mid range sound... My preliminary plans are to purchase a 5 channel amplifier such as the JL Audio HD 900/5... I'd most likely feed the factory front and rear door speakers with the JL amp, leaving the front/rear center and subwoofer being pushed by the L7 amp... I'd add a 8" or 10" w7/w6 in a ported enclosure with the port firing right into the cabin...
I think this would be an economical solution to get better sound out of the system... I have an Audiocontrol EQS in another one of my vehicles and absolutely love it, not sure I would need it in this car though...
Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
Depends on the season
I've been itching to do the same... My previous car was a BMW 7 series with Logic 7, it was the best factory system I had ever heard... It was a perfect balance when all worked well and having subs under seats really helped as it would really shake my jeans/pants, it was a very unique feeling and experience...
The Logic 7 in the E is decent... For the most part, I'm pleased with the balance of the lows/mids/highs... The factory subwoofer, in all honesty, does an excellent job of balancing the sound and it hits pretty damn low for not having a dedicated enclosure... There have been times where my steering wheel will vibrate from low low bass notes, impressive...
What I hate though is how after you turn the volume past a certain point the amplifier digitally attenuates the subwoofer and high frequencies, leaving you with a lot of muffled mid range sound... My preliminary plans are to purchase a 5 channel amplifier such as the JL Audio HD 900/5... I'd most likely feed the factory front and rear door speakers with the JL amp, leaving the front/rear center and subwoofer being pushed by the L7 amp... I'd add a 8" or 10" w7/w6 in a ported enclosure with the port firing right into the cabin...
I think this would be an economical solution to get better sound out of the system... I have an Audiocontrol EQS in another one of my vehicles and absolutely love it, not sure I would need it in this car though...
The Logic 7 in the E is decent... For the most part, I'm pleased with the balance of the lows/mids/highs... The factory subwoofer, in all honesty, does an excellent job of balancing the sound and it hits pretty damn low for not having a dedicated enclosure... There have been times where my steering wheel will vibrate from low low bass notes, impressive...
What I hate though is how after you turn the volume past a certain point the amplifier digitally attenuates the subwoofer and high frequencies, leaving you with a lot of muffled mid range sound... My preliminary plans are to purchase a 5 channel amplifier such as the JL Audio HD 900/5... I'd most likely feed the factory front and rear door speakers with the JL amp, leaving the front/rear center and subwoofer being pushed by the L7 amp... I'd add a 8" or 10" w7/w6 in a ported enclosure with the port firing right into the cabin...
I think this would be an economical solution to get better sound out of the system... I have an Audiocontrol EQS in another one of my vehicles and absolutely love it, not sure I would need it in this car though...
Instead of feeding your door speakers with an aftermarket amp, just run an aftermarket amp and get more speakers. This is what I will be doing when the summer is over. I'm either going to find a way to get some horn tweeters hidden in the car (most likely Beyma's) or if I can't hide them, I will either fabricate a new kick panel or find an aftermarket company that makes them similar to the Qforms by Qlogic. It adds a second stage in the front and makes a very noticeable difference.
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Joined: Apr 2010
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From: SoCal
2012 Armada
Instead of feeding your door speakers with an aftermarket amp, just run an aftermarket amp and get more speakers. This is what I will be doing when the summer is over. I'm either going to find a way to get some horn tweeters hidden in the car (most likely Beyma's) or if I can't hide them, I will either fabricate a new kick panel or find an aftermarket company that makes them similar to the Qforms by Qlogic. It adds a second stage in the front and makes a very noticeable difference.
I had to get this logic7 out of my car. I had it in my 7series and hated it there it is even worse in the 55.
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 93
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Depends on the season
I dont mind if I have to fab something up. I would probably make something out of fiberglass then paint it black. The other option I was thinking about was getting rid of the ashtray and mounting two Beyma tweeters in there with one pointing at me and one at the passenger. If you haven't heard a beyma bullet tweeter yet...you should. I have two running in my other car with 35 watts going to each and its ear piercing. Sound quality is good too.
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 183
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From: NJ
.
The cheapest way to do it would be to tap into the current sub outputs and use high level inputs or a LOC if your amp won't take the high level inputs. You will still have the problem where when you turn up the volume above a certain point the bass will start to decrease(thanks to the audio gateway)
It probably won't be too bad, you will just have to adjust the bass higher at higher volumes. This is how I did it im my CLK500
The other way to do it would be to tap into the signal output at the Audio Gateway and get something to to flatten out the signal (JL cleansweep, Rockford 3sixty, Alpine PXE-H650) and feed that to you amp to get much stronger bass. This is how I did my CLS55 and then later swapped out the door speakers and added new amp to power that.
It probably won't be too bad, you will just have to adjust the bass higher at higher volumes. This is how I did it im my CLK500
The other way to do it would be to tap into the signal output at the Audio Gateway and get something to to flatten out the signal (JL cleansweep, Rockford 3sixty, Alpine PXE-H650) and feed that to you amp to get much stronger bass. This is how I did my CLS55 and then later swapped out the door speakers and added new amp to power that.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 361
Likes: 3
From: Northern California
05 e55
I am satisfied with the phase of all the speakers as they are right now, and they perform pretty good for my taste... Only gripe is how the L7 amp attenuates the sound after you turn it past a certain amount of volume, so this is my solution to combat that... I don't really feel the need to add more speakers as I know the factory speakers will play louder with more power... I am looking for a simple factory look with louder volume and a little deeper bass...
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 848
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From: New Cumberland, PA
ML63
I bought one of these off ebay MX-3 Bass Controller, hooked it up to factory amp disconnected the factory sub, then threw in a kicker ZR 1000 and 15" solo baric small box lots of bottom end. no rattle
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From: Saskatchewan
1969 280S, 1991 300E
Has anyone ever punched a hole in the rear seatback wall, where the armrest is, or where the ski pass-through would be? I am thinking this would be a pretty easy solution to my problem.
I had a 12" sub in the trunk of my E55 and wasn't happy with how much sound made it into the cabin.
I bought an S55 and had the same set-up installed yesterday...same issue.
If i do it, how big should i make the hole?
I had a 12" sub in the trunk of my E55 and wasn't happy with how much sound made it into the cabin.
I bought an S55 and had the same set-up installed yesterday...same issue.
If i do it, how big should i make the hole?
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 229
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E55 AMG
I wanted to revive this old thread and see if people have any better solutions to audio upgrades?
Is there a way to add more bass and louder sound while keeping the factory headunit, which sounds clean? Say with a budget between $500-1000?
From what I have read a 10" 500W Sub in the trunk with a line converter and a more powerful amp to the stock speakers?
I'm not very car audio savvy, but I need some bigger sound out of my E55. But anything over $1000, I would rather put that money else where in the car.
Is there a way to add more bass and louder sound while keeping the factory headunit, which sounds clean? Say with a budget between $500-1000?
From what I have read a 10" 500W Sub in the trunk with a line converter and a more powerful amp to the stock speakers?
I'm not very car audio savvy, but I need some bigger sound out of my E55. But anything over $1000, I would rather put that money else where in the car.
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Joined: May 2010
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05 E55 AMG, E320 CDI, Turbo E46 M3,IS300 2JZGTE,VQ35 Turbo Maxima, Mercedes 300D
Well I added subwoofer in stock location replacing the original sub. Sounds a lot better. I added an Audison 5.1K amp to give it a bit more thump and planning on improved speakers all round with DSP.
The added bass is a big improvement and probably one of the only things that was lacking on stock system. The stock speakers are actually pretty decent.
Line converter (or if you can find an amp with built in speaker level inputs), sub amp and sub would be good enough to complement an already decent sounding system. I am not an audio expert by any means but it's hard to knock a good Bose or HK system unless you want to spend big $$$ to do so.
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...ml#post6242291
The added bass is a big improvement and probably one of the only things that was lacking on stock system. The stock speakers are actually pretty decent.
Line converter (or if you can find an amp with built in speaker level inputs), sub amp and sub would be good enough to complement an already decent sounding system. I am not an audio expert by any means but it's hard to knock a good Bose or HK system unless you want to spend big $$$ to do so.
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...ml#post6242291
I wanted to revive this old thread and see if people have any better solutions to audio upgrades?
Is there a way to add more bass and louder sound while keeping the factory headunit, which sounds clean? Say with a budget between $500-1000?
From what I have read a 10" 500W Sub in the trunk with a line converter and a more powerful amp to the stock speakers?
I'm not very car audio savvy, but I need some bigger sound out of my E55. But anything over $1000, I would rather put that money else where in the car.
Is there a way to add more bass and louder sound while keeping the factory headunit, which sounds clean? Say with a budget between $500-1000?
From what I have read a 10" 500W Sub in the trunk with a line converter and a more powerful amp to the stock speakers?
I'm not very car audio savvy, but I need some bigger sound out of my E55. But anything over $1000, I would rather put that money else where in the car.
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 626
Likes: 8
From: UK
E55K AMG
Cut a square hole out of the ski hatch opening behind the arm rest and installed an LC2i line converter
http://www.audiocontrol.com/17612/64...r-Control.html
http://www.audiocontrol.com/17612/64...r-Control.html
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 333
Likes: 3
From: JHB, South Africa
03 E55 AMG
I ran twin 12" 1500W boxed and ported subs off a 3200W Powerbass amp (bridged) using the two factory sub cables from the backboard. After removing my factory sub/s, to leave a nice opening from the trunk into the cabin, I then pulled the cables through to the satnav hatch in the boot and ran a line converter from them into my amp which I installed in my wheel well. Power for the amp came from the fuse box under to the satnav hatch. The twin sub box setup fitted perfectly into the back of my trunk, but I added some velcro just to secure things a bit. I had no issues with batteries or any dashboard warnings. After 1 month I removed the lot and had to hunt down an OE sub as I had damaged mine when I initially removed it. The twin sub setup was too loud and it rattled the back of my car like an earthquake. I also could not see out of the rear facing mirrors as they vibrated too much. Although the OE Harman Kardon is not the loudest sytem on earth, it is perfectly set up for our cars and should not be improved upon. Just my two cents worth.
